KENNESAW — Active duty military members who own a home in Kennesaw will no longer have to pay for garbage collection following a unanimous City Council vote to waive the fees.

City Manager Steve Kennedy said the ordinance has been vetted by the city’s legal team and is aimed at recognizing those who provide service to the country. Residents pay $24 per month for sanitation services.

“In a small way, this is something we can work with,” Kennedy said.

David Burdette, adjutant of North Cobb American Legion Post 304, thanked the council for considering the waiver.

“As a representative of some 300 veterans in the north Cobb area, about 60 of whom live in the city limits of Kennesaw, I believe it is commendable that the council would even consider waiving the sanitation services for active duty military personnel,” Burdette said. “The loss of revenue to the city would be more than compensated in good will to the 38,000 veterans and active duty personnel currently in Cobb County and I suggest that you consider it carefully and approve the proposal.”

“It’s been sitting there, kind of stewing for a good while,” Mathews said, noting the amount of research required for the proposal. “I’m glad to see it coming forward.”

Residential owners within the city limits are required to use the city’s sanitation services as no private haulers are allowed to pick up trash in the city, according to city code.

Under the newly approved waiver, dependents are required to have documentation proving active duty status as well as power of attorney to act on behalf of the active duty person, if deployed.

The waiver will last 12 months or until the city is notified of a change in active status and cease after the completion of a 12-month billing cycle, unless extended by the presentation of military orders by the applicant.

The waiver does not include special pick-ups.

In other business, the council:

• Adopted the city’s Short-Term Work Program Report for 2013-17 outlining how the city will spend its impact fees over the next few years.

• Approved a land-use permit for Kennesaw Family Life Church to use BounceU, a children’s play center at 1634 Cobb International Blvd., to host church services for about 30 congregants each Sunday.

• Rescinded an approval for a special land-use permit and variance for a petroleum bulk plant at 2130 Moon Station Drive and 2140 Moon Station Road as the company intends to move into a different site south of the property.

• Approved code amendments to the city’s unified Development Code to regulate temporary signage and donation bins in commercial areas.

• Heard a presentation by Cmdr. Ron Asby with North Cobb American Legion Post 304 presenting the late Councilman Bill Thrash’s wife, Suzi, with a resolution honoring Thrash’s participation with the organization.

• Heard a check presentation by Dave Guthrie of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club to R.J. Patel, chairman of the Swift-Cantrell Park Foundation, for $1,000 to go toward the new skate park, which is scheduled to open in July.

• Recognized Chief William Westinberger for his graduation from the FBI National Academy’s executive leadership program in Quantico, Va.

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